The gallery takes the visitor on a fascinating journey through the history of Zambia from 1550 to 2001. The exhibition pays attention to the earliest historical evidence, focusing on the origins of the people of Zambia, early chiefdoms and Kingdoms, early contacts with the people of the outside world, European explorations and missionary activities in Zambia. Other themes include the colonisation process, colonial rule, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, African response to colonial rule and the struggle for independence, finally achieved in 1964. It ends with a display on some of the activities of the First, Second, and Third Republics. Throughout the gallery, the exhibition centres on events and ideologies that have and continue to shape the lives of the people of Zambia, and continue to do so even in the 21st century.